Pediatric Research Program

Our Neuroimmunology Research Group has partnered with Rady Children's Hospital, where Dr. Jennifer Graves runs a pediatric MS neurology clinic, to investigate MS and related diseases in children.

TRAC Peds MS Study

This is a non-interventional, minimal risk study involving the creation of a biospecimen repository and a database of clinically-acquired information about a cohort of pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) and related diseases (i.e. MOGAD, NMOSD, Optic Neuritis, NMDAR, etc.) patients from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and Rady Children’s Hospital neurology clinics. 

Enrollment Information: This study is open for enrollment. Please contact: Sophie Zacharek. 

CONNECT Study

We propose the establishment of a multi-center collaborative research group on neuro-inflammatory conditions to better understand their natural history, diagnostic and treatment approaches, and long-term outcomes. Initial diseases included will be seropositive autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen encephalitis, and Landau Kleffner syndrome, in addition to other neuroinflammatory syndromes. Our overarching hypothesis is that these syndromes result in long-term sequelae, including risk for refractory seizures and poor neuropsychological outcomes, that may be mitigated by novel, early immunotherapies. The aim of this study is to perform a review of the clinical features and diagnostic studies of patients with neuroinflammatory disease to better understand the clinical course and treatment response. To further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of a given disease, we will also collect biospecimens for future biomarker discovery, immunophenotyping, and genetic analysis.

Enrollment Information: This study is open for enrollment. Please contact: Sophie Zacharek. 

CIELO

This is an autoimmune encephalitis trial that aims to study to evaluate the efficacy of satralizumab in patients with NMDAR or LGI1 encephalitis in patients from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and Rady Children’s Hospital neurology clinics. 

Enrollment Information: This study is open for enrollment. Please contact: Sophie Zacharek. 

MOGAD

MOG-specific antibodies have been identified in the serum of patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), in some patients diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and in patients with bilateral and recurrent optic neuritis. The spectrum of neurologic conditions associated with MOG-specific Abs, which we refer to as MOG antibody-associated disorder (MOGAD) is expanding. We hypothesize that MOG-specific T cells are expanded in patients with MOGSD and that MOG-specific T cells have a central pathogenic role and cooperate with MOG-specific B cells to promote CNS inflammation in MOGAD. We further hypothesize that the gut microbiome may influence the development and function of MOG-specific T cells in MOGAD. By studying immune responses in MOGAD, we will expand our knowledge of those conditions and will advance our understanding of immune responses targeting MOG and possibly translate to more targeted immunotherapeutics.

Enrollment Information: This study is open for enrollment. Please contact: Sophie Zacharek. 

Diet and Relapse Study

The Diet and Relapses Study is a pediatric study exploring the connection between rate of relapse and diet through the gut microbiome and amino acids found in the digestive tract. We hope to uncover the role that 25 (OH) vitamin D levels, fat and vegetable intake, and other nutrients take in the pediatric disease course, and to investigate the biological pathways relevant to this association.

Optional: By filling out a set of questionnaires, and a small blood draw, patients can help us to further understand pediatric MS.

PeMSDD Database Registry Study

PeMSDD is a database registry study linked to the Diet and Relapses study. This registry strives to describe the number and characteristics of patients with suspected early onset demyelinating disases. This database will help investigators allied with the National Pediatric MS Center to support hypothesis generation, and study design development.